CONSERVATION IN THE BITTERROOT

The Teller operating environment is Ravalli County - the second fastest growing county in Montana. With a population currently nearing 40,000, it is projected that more than 60,000 people will be residing in Ravalli County by the year 2020. As in many other rural areas across the West, private landowners and communities in the Bitterroot Valley are at a crossroads. With ongoing cultural changes and conservation challenges, The Teller fills an important role in promoting future voluntary conservation outcomes.

Places like the Bitterroot Valley are attracting recreational ranch buyers and developers. Based on these factors, the social, educational and stewardship value of The Teller mission increases exponentially every day. At Teller, natural beauty and agricultural farm land preserved and enhanced by strong conservation and land management principles provide an important example to other private landowners and the general public. 

To view a list of cooperating county, state and federal agencies visit our Conservation Partners page.  

Wildlife Conservation Partnership Program

As a model of successful conservation and stewardship actions, The Teller's Wildlife Conservation Partnership Program provides private landowners with proven land management techniques learned from managing 1,225 acres in the Bitterroot Valley, and 40 years of staff experience working in both the public and private sector.  These cooperative conservation experiences, matched with entrepreneurial strategies, have generated positive habitat results for fish and wildlife.  The Teller program is completely voluntary and designed to be a collaborative effort between The Teller and interested private landowners who wish to learn more about private lands conservation and wildlife management.  We provide recommendations, plans and technical advice to landowners who have an interest in restoring and enhancing their property for fish and wildlife. 

For more specific information please see the second page on the Wildlife Conservation Partnership Program flyer (pdf).

Please contact Sam Lawry, Director of Conservation and Education, at (406) 961-3507 for more information.

Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program

The Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program was approved by voters in 2006. This program is designed to enhance the quality of life in Ravalli County by protecting open lands through conservation easements or other land conservation efforts. Starting in 1988, Otto Teller established conservation easements on most of The Teller property through the Montana Land Reliance.